THE woman tasked with letting thousands of University of South Wales students know about the many and varied sports clubs on offer is relishing the challenge of her role.
Clubs co-ordinator, Sarah Jones, is employed by the Students’ Union to help engage more students in sports ranging from weightlifting to trampolining, futsal to mountain biking.
Jones, who was a member of the USW Women’s Rugby team and still plays the game, graduated from the university after studying a degree in sport, but returned in a paid part-time role in last November.
But she recently took up a full-time role, which she hopes will give her more time to encourage greater participation in less-publicised sports.
“My role is to increase participation in clubs including basketball, volleyball and badminton, by promoting and advertising them,” said Jones.
She will be working with students on the BA Sports Journalism course in getting the message across about the variety of sports on offer as well as the benefits they bring.
“It’s freshers’ fair so it’s been really difficult and challenging, but I’m really enjoying it. I’m knuckling down now and it’s really good. The Sports Journalism [students] will help me promote the clubs.
We're in full swing at Fresher's Fair Treforest! Come and see what sports we have on offer this year! @USWSU @UniSouthWales #uswfreshers pic.twitter.com/eAEFpwzmBe
— USWSU Sports Clubs (@uswclubs) 18 September 2018
“Because I went to the university and studied sport, I know how it works. For me to work here and introduce sports clubs to students, I can give them that opportunity.
Jones says her time on the BSc Sports Studies course has put her in good stead as she looks to develop positive working relationships with the university’s coaches.
“I knew one or two coaches before I had the job so that was a good thing for me. I’ve introduced myself to our coaches this year so I’d like to think I have a good relationship with them.
“Since I’ve been in this role, we’ve just had a weightlifting club opened – they had 20 members last year and 40 signed up in the freshers’ fair. We also didn’t have a table tennis club last year, but we’ve got one this year and 18 have signed up.”
USW Sports Clubs are on Twitter and Facebook and Sarah can be contacted here.
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